Exercising apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercising apparatus includes a portable platform base having top and peripheral walls defining a recessed lower side, the top wall having mounted thereon right and left pairs of semispherical resilient members, so spaced that the right and left feet of the user, while in a standing or other suitable posture, are engaged with the respective pairs of semispherical members with one member beneath the arch and heel region of the foot and the other member beneath the toes, thereby providing exercising and massaging treatment for foot ailments, such as flat feet, swollen ankles, and the like. The spacing of the members of each pair of adjustable to accommodate different size feet. A roller is arranged transversely between the pairs of semispherical members for rotational engagement by a foot of the user with a forward and backward reciprocal massaging movement. For the purpose of additionally providing exercise for the arms and other parts of the body, a pair of elastic stretch bands are provided together with a pair of handgrip members, each band having a knoblike means at each of its ends for detachable connection in one of a series of notch formations in each of the handgrip members, enabling a handgrip member to be attached to one or both ends of one or both bands.

llit @tatea att Hardy [151 madame 51 lawman [54] lEXIERCIlSIlNGAPPARATUS Bridgeport, Conn. 06605 [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 11969 [21] Appl.No: 872,693

[52] ILLS. Cl ..l128/57, 128/25 B [51} llnt.Cl. ..A61h 111/00 [58] FieldofSearc ..l28/25 B, 60,57,6l,67

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-L. W. TrappAttorney-Mattern, Ware and Davis 1 i ABSTRACT An exercising apparatusincludes a portable platform base having top and peripheral wallsdefining a recessed lower side, the top wall having mounted thereonright and left pairs of semispherical resilient members, so spaced thatthe right and left feet of the user, while in a standing or othersuitable posture, are engaged with the respective pairs ofsemisphericalmembers with one member beneath the arch and heel region of the foot andthe other member beneath the toes, thereby providing exercising andmassaging treatment for foot ailments, such as flat feet, swollenankles, and the like. The spacing of the members of each pair ofadjustable to accommodate different size feet. A roller is arrangedtransversely between the pairs of semispherical members for rotationalengagement by a foot of the user with a forward and backward reciprocalmassaging movement. For the purpose of additionally providing exercisefor the arms and other parts of the body, a pair of elastic stretchbands are provided together with a pair of handgrip members, each bandhaving a knoblike means at each of its ends for detachable connection inone ofa series of notch formations in each of the handgrip members,enabling a handgrip member to be attached to one or both ends ofone orboth bands.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAMES 19 72 SHEET 1 BF 3 FIG. I

HNVENTOR PETER S. HARDY MATTER/V WARE 8 DAV/5 ATTORNEYS FATENTEDJAN25IS72 35353 SHEET 2 0F 3 The present invention relates to anexercising apparatus, and has for an object to provide a compact,portable and inexpensive exercising apparatus for convenient home use,and which may be readily packed in a suitcase for use away from home atany place or time desired by the user.

A further object is to provide an exercising apparatus which whileprimarily intended for exercising and massaging the feet of the userincludes auxiliary means for simultaneously exercising the arms andother parts of the body.

It is known that an effective means for exercising and massaging thefeet consists of an arrangement of resilientspheres or sphericalsegments against which the feet may be worked, and it is a furtherobject of the invention to provide an exercising apparatus comprising aplatform base provided upon its upper side with right and left pairs offorward and rearward resilient semispherical members upon which the usermay stand or implant his feet with the rearward members of each pairbeneath the arch and heel region of each foot and the forward membersunder the toes.

It is also known that an effective means for exercising the arms andother parts of the body consists of stretch bands which may be stretchedby pulling outwardly upon both ends or by pulling upon one end against arestraining force upon the other end, and it is a further object of theinvention to provide means whereby stretch bands may be anchored at oneend to the platform base in such manner that by pulling upon the otherend to stretch the bands a counterforce may be exerted by the armsagainst the pressure of the feet upon the platform base, resulting in acoordinated exercising of the legs and arms as well as other parts ofthe body.

With the above and other objects in view, a preferred and satisfactoryembodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto andparticularly defined in the claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective view of the exercising apparatus according tothe invention showing the platform base, the stretch bands, and thehandgrip members in separated relation;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the platform base;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the platform base;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line l-lof FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 5-5of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the platform base;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and,

W0. h is a sectional view taken along the line h-h of FIG. 6 and showingin dot-anddash lines the manner in which the stretch bands are connectedto the platform base.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, thecomponents of the exercising apparatus according to the exemplaryembodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprise a platform baselit), a pair of stretch bands ill-1111 adapted as will hereinafter morefully appear be anchored at one end to the platform base, and a pair ofhandgrip members l2-ll2 each adapted to be connected to an end of one orboth ofthe stretch bands.

Further referring to FIGS. 243, the platform base It) preferably formedof cast aluminum is of generally trapezoidal shape in plan outline withparallel forward and rearward edges and rearwardly convergent sideedges, and comprises a horizontal top wall 13 and a slightly outwardlyinclined peripheral wall extending downwardly about its four sides sothat it defines with the top wall a downwardly opening recessedunderside, the lower edge of the peripheral wall being disposed in ahorizontal plane so that when engaged with a floor or other horizontalsupporting surface the top wall of the base is horizontally disposed.

The peripheral wall comprises a forward wall portion Ml, a rearward wallportion 15 parallel to the forward wall portion Ml and rearwardlyconvergent sidewall portions to and i7, the ends of the forward wall Mbeing connected to the sidewalls l6 and l7 by rounded corner wallportions lift and W and the ends of the rearward wall portion 115 beingconnected to the sidewall portion l6 and i7 by rounded corner wallportions 20 and 211 which project rearwardly relatively to the rearwardwall portion 115.

Upon the upper side of the top wall Elli there are mounted right andleft pairs of semispherical resilient cushion members 22 preferably ofrubber of suitable texture to provide the necessary stability andresilience for carrying out the foot exercising and massaging purposesof the invention.

For the purpose of convenient attachment of the cushion members 22 tothe platform base, each cushion member is provided at its under sidewith a centrally disposed cylindrical button projection 23 having a pairof projecting flanges 2I- 241 at opposite sides spaced downwardly fromthe under side of the cushion member and defining therewith a segmentalperipheral groove for effecting a bayonet or breech-block type ofinterlocking connection of the cushion member to the base by a turn ofthe button projection in a hole provided for each cushion member in thetop wall 13 of the base, the holes 25 for retaining the forward cushionmembers being substantially circular and having opposed notches 26-26for receiving the flanges 24, and the holes 27 for retaining therearward cushion members being elongated along the axes extendingthrough the centers of the front and rear cushion members of each pair,so that in each case the button projection may be freely inserted in thehole and the cushion member turned 90 to bring the flanges 24 beneaththe opposite sidewalls of the hole. As clearly shown in FIG. 5, the rearcushion members are adjustable in the elongated holes 27 so that thedistance between the front and rear cushion members of each pair may beadjusted by the user of the apparatus to adjust the spacing of thecushion members to different size feet or to accommodate the apparatusto the particular desires of the user, it being pointed out that inemploying this feature of the exercising apparatus the user stands uponor implants his feet upon the platform base with the arch and heelregions of the feet engaged with the rearward cushion members 22 and thetoes engaged with the forward cushion members, thereupon working thefeet with a kneading action against the cushion members.

Substantially centrally of the top wall l3 there is provided arectangular opening 28 in which there is disposed a roller 29 mountedupon an axle 3t) journaled at its ends in upstanding lugs 3ll-3lintegrally formed upon the upper side of the top wall R3 at the ends ofthe opening 28. The roller 29 may be formed of wood, semihard rubber orother suitable material, and being disposed transversely between theright and left pairs of cushion members 22 provides a means by which theuser of the apparatus may massage the bottoms of his feet by moving thefeet to and fro in pressing engagement with the roller.

At the rearward side of the platform base there are mounted in pairs oflugs 32 integrally formed upon the rearwardly pro jecting corner wallportions 20 and 21 a pair of rollers 3333 by means of which the platformbase may be roller supported in an upright position upon its rearwardside for a purpose hereinafter more fully pointed out.

Referring again to FIG. l, the stretch hands it which are preferablyformed of rubber of suitable strength and elasticity have integrallyformed upon each end a cylindrical T-form terminal knob 3d projecting ateach side for the purpose of interlocking connection to the handgripmembers l2 and the platform base 110. For this purpose the handgripmembers comprise a substantially U-shaped frame preferably of castaluminum having a transverse bar portion 35, side arm portions 36-36 anda handle 37 supported between the side arm portions upon an axle 3h. Thebar portion 35 is substantially hook shaped in cross section and isprovided with a series of spaced notches 39 in which the ends of thebands lll may be engaged with the terminal knobs M seated in thehooklike portions of the bar at each side of each notch. Reinforcingribs Ml are formed at the inner side of the transverse bar substantiallymidway between the notches. Thus, each or both of the bands may beconnected at one end to a handgrip member, while the other end isanchored to the platform base, as will more fully appear. Alternatively,a handgrip member may be attached to both ends of one or both bands forthe purpose of carrying out a normal stretching exercise by pullingoutwardly upon the bands. The use of either one or both bands inperforming this type of exercise depends upon the desires and strengthof the user, the employment of the two bands providing a stretch bandexercising means for performing isometric arm exercises having twice theresistance of one band.

For the purpose of anchoring an end of one or both stretch bands 11 tothe forward portion of the platform base 10, at a point between theright and left pairs of cushion members 22, a series of spaced notches41 is provided in the front wall 14 which open to the lower edge of thefront wall and extend for a short distance rearwardly into the top wall13, each notch being adapted to receive an erid of a stretch band withthe terminal knob 34 seated in the inside comer between the front walland the top wall so that the band may be extended upwardly from theplatform base, as indicated in dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 8, enablingthe user by stretch pulling upwardly upon either one or both stretchbands to exert a counterforce against the pressure of the feet upon theplatform base. The notch arrangement also permits a single stretch bandto have both ends secured to the platform base with a loop of thestretch band extended upwardly from the platform base so that it may begripped by one hand for stretching purposes. Reinforcing gusset braces42 are integrally formed in the comer between the top and front wallssubstantially midway between the notches 41.

An alternative method of anchoring the stretch bands to the platformbase is provided by a series of notches 43 in a wall portion 44integrally formed upon the under side of the top wall rearwardly of theroller 29 and in forwardly spaced parallel relation to the rearward wallportion 15, and by means of which the end of a stretch band may beengaged in a notch 13 with its terminal knob hooked behind the wall 44,enabling the band to be carried forwardly beneath the roller 29 and thenupwardly through the opening 28, as indicated in dot-anddash lines inFIG. 8, whereby stretching pull may be exerted by means of the handgripattached to the free end of the band resulting in pulleylike rotation ofthe roller as an antifriction guide for the band.

By anchoring the two bands in this manner the exercising apparatus maybe operated in a manner simulating rowing with the stretch bandsfunctioning in simulation of a pair of oars. Such exercising may becarried out with the user either in a standing or seated posture. in thelatter case, the user may be seated in a fixed position upon the flooror in a chair while the platform base may be roller supported in uprightposition upon the rollers 33, whereby it may have to-and-fro rollingmovement as a result of forward pushing by the legs with the feetimplanted upon the cushion members 22 to push the platform forwardly andrearward pulling upon the stretch bands in a manner simulating pullingupon a pair of oars to pull the platform rearwardly. While thisexercising procedure simulates the body and muscle action employed inexercising in a scull or rowing machine, it is distinguished therefromin that in a scull or rowing machine the user, instead of being seatedin a stationery position, is seated upon a sliding seat which moves toand fro while the feet are braced against a fixed support.

At the under side of the top wall of the platform base there areprovided a pair of reinforcing ribs 4545 extending between the frontwall [4 and the notched wall 44 in parallel relation at each side of theroller opening 28. In addition to reinforcing the top wall these ribsdivide the recessed under side of the platform base into compartmentsfor the compact storage of the stretch bands and handgrips forconvenient portability of the several components of the apparatus andpacking in a suitcase or the like.

What I claim is:

l. A portable exercising apparatus comprising a floor-engaging platformbase having a substantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projectingfoot-exercising cushion means at the upper side of said platform basefor engagement by the feet of the user, said platform base comprising ahorizontal top wall and a downwardly extending peripheral wall having afloor-engaging lower edge disposed in a horizontal plane, saidperipheral wall defining with said top wall a downwardly opening recessat the underside of said platform base.

2. A 'portable exercising apparatus comprising a floor-engaging platformbase having a substantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projectingfootexercising cushion means at the upper side of said platform base forengagement by the feet of the user, stretch band means comprising atleast one elastic stretch band, and band connection means carried bysaid platform base for detachable connection of at least one end of saidstretch band, whereby stretching pull upon said band exerts acounterforce upon said platform base in opposition to the pressure ofthe feet of the user upon said platform base.

3. A portable exercising apparatus as defined in claim 2, furthercharacterized by a handgrip member detachably secured to at least oneend of said stretch band.

4. A portable exercising apparatus comprising a floor-engaging platformbase having a substantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projectingfoot-exercising cushion means at the upper side of said platform basefor engagement by the feet of the user, said foot exercising cushionmeans comprising right and left transversely spaced pairs of forward andrearward spaced resilient cushion members for respective engagementbeneath the right and left feet of the user with the rearward membersbeneath the arch and heel regions of the feet and the forward membersbeneath the toes, stretch band means comprising at least one elasticstretch band, and band connecting means carried by said platform base ata point between said right and left pairs of cushion members fordetachable connection of at least one end of said stretch band, wherebystretching pull upon said band exerts a counterforce upon said platformin opposition to the pressure of the feet of the user upon said platformbase.

5. A portable exercising apparatus comprising a floor-engaging platformbase having a substantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projectingfoot-exercising cushion means at the upper side of said platform basefor engagement by the feet of the user, said foot-exercising cushionmeans comprising right and left transversely spaced pairs of forward andrearward spaced resilient cushion members for respective engagementbeneath the right and left feet of the user with the rearward membersbeneath the arch and heel regions of the feet and the forward membersbeneath the toes, and a roller mounted at the upper sides of said basefor rotation about a horizontal axis transversely disposed between saidright and left pairs of cushion members, stretch band means comprisingat least one elastic stretch band, and band connecting means carried bysaid platform base at a point rearwardly of said roller for detachableconnection of at least one end of said stretch band, whereby said bandmay be carried beneath said roller and in a direction therefrom awayfrom the upper side of said platform base, and whereby stretching pullupon said band exerts a counterforce upon said platform in opposition tothe pressure of the feet of the user upon said platform base.

6. A portable exercising apparatus as defined in claim 5, furthercharacterized by roller means at the rearward side of said platform basefor roller-supporting said platform base in a position with its upperside disposed substantially vertically.

7. A portable exercising apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein saidstretch band includes knob means at its ends, and wherein said bandattaching means carried by said platform base comprises a series oftransversely spaced notches for selectively receiving at least one ofsaid knob means in hooked relation.

8. A portable exercising apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein saidband means includes knob means at its ends, and wherein said handgripmember includes a transverse bar portion having a series of transverselyspaced notches for receiving at least one of said knob means in hookedrelation.

M 3 I: W

1. A portable exercising apparatus comprising a floor-engaging platformbase having a substantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projectingfoot-exercising cushion means at the upper side of said platform basefor engagement by the feet of the user, said platform base comprising ahorizontal top wall and a downwardly extending peripheral wall having afloor-engaging lower edge disposed in a horizontal plane, saidperipheral wall defining with said top wall a downwardly opening recessat the underside of said platform base.
 2. A portable exercisingapparatus comprising a floor-engaging platform base having asubstantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projecting foot-exercisingcushion means at the upper side of said platform base for engagement bythe feet of the user, stretch band means comprising at least one elasticstretch band, and band connection means carried by said platform basefor detachable connection of at least one end of said stretch band,whereby stretching pull upon said band exerts a counterforce upon saidplatform base in opposition to the pressure of the feet of the user uponsaid platform base.
 3. A portable exercising apparatus as defined inclaim 2, further characterized by a handgrip member detachably securedto at least one end of said stretch band.
 4. A portable exercisingapparatus comprising a floor-engaging platform base having asubstantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projecting foot-exercisingcushion means at the upper side of said platform base for engagement bythe feet of the user, said foot exercising cushion means comprisingright and left transversely Spaced pairs of forward and rearward spacedresilient cushion members for respective engagement beneath the rightand left feet of the user with the rearward members beneath the arch andheel regions of the feet and the forward members beneath the toes,stretch band means comprising at least one elastic stretch band, andband connecting means carried by said platform base at a point betweensaid right and left pairs of cushion members for detachable connectionof at least one end of said stretch band, whereby stretching pull uponsaid band exerts a counterforce upon said platform in opposition to thepressure of the feet of the user upon said platform base.
 5. A portableexercising apparatus comprising a floor-engaging platform base having asubstantially horizontal upper side, upwardly projecting foot-exercisingcushion means at the upper side of said platform base for engagement bythe feet of the user, said foot-exercising cushion means comprisingright and left transversely spaced pairs of forward and rearward spacedresilient cushion members for respective engagement beneath the rightand left feet of the user with the rearward members beneath the arch andheel regions of the feet and the forward members beneath the toes, and aroller mounted at the upper sides of said base for rotation about ahorizontal axis transversely disposed between said right and left pairsof cushion members, stretch band means comprising at least one elasticstretch band, and band connecting means carried by said platform base ata point rearwardly of said roller for detachable connection of at leastone end of said stretch band, whereby said band may be carried beneathsaid roller and in a direction therefrom away from the upper side ofsaid platform base, and whereby stretching pull upon said band exerts acounterforce upon said platform in opposition to the pressure of thefeet of the user upon said platform base.
 6. A portable exercisingapparatus as defined in claim 5, further characterized by roller meansat the rearward side of said platform base for roller-supporting saidplatform base in a position with its upper side disposed substantiallyvertically.
 7. A portable exercising apparatus as defined in claim 2,wherein said stretch band includes knob means at its ends, and whereinsaid band attaching means carried by said platform base comprises aseries of transversely spaced notches for selectively receiving at leastone of said knob means in hooked relation.
 8. A portable exercisingapparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said band means includes knobmeans at its ends, and wherein said handgrip member includes atransverse bar portion having a series of transversely spaced notchesfor receiving at least one of said knob means in hooked relation.